Delhi court rejects anticipatory bail of Luthra brothers in Goa nightclub fire case
Delhi's Rohini Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of nightclub owners Saurav and Gaurav Luthra, who allegedly fled to Thailand hours after a fire at their Goa establishment killed 25 people. The brothers, co-owners of 'Birch by Romeo Lane', were later detained in Phuket.
New Delhi: Delhi’s Rohini Court on Thursday denied anticipatory bail to Saurav and Gaurav Luthra, the brothers who own the Goa nightclub where 25 people lost their lives in a devastating fire.
Brothers flee abroad
The duo, co-owners of ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’, allegedly left for Thailand soon after the Saturday blaze. Goa officials said the brothers were detained overseas and that steps are being taken to bring them back to India to face legal proceedings.
According to police, 44-year-old Gaurav Luthra and his 40-year-old brother Saurav flew to Phuket just hours after the December 6 incident. Following their departure, Interpol issued a Blue Corner notice at the request of Goa Police through the CBI.
On Wednesday, the brothers approached the court for urgent interim protection from arrest, but their plea was swiftly rejected. Their request for anticipatory transit bail has also been turned down.
Deportation process underway
Thai authorities are now expected to deport the duo within the next 24 hours. A Goa Police team, according to sources quoted by NDTV, will depart for Bangkok later today to handle the necessary formalities.
India and Thailand have an extradition treaty, but New Delhi has opted to pursue deportation instead, as it is a faster route than filing a formal extradition request and waiting for Thai court proceedings.
Passports suspended abroad
To initiate the deportation, the Indian government suspended the passports of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra on Wednesday, rendering them violators of Thai immigration rules. This action set the deportation process in motion, sources told NDTV.